Sacrificial Artifact System: From Bell-ringer to the Ancestral Patriarch

"Manager He, please elaborate on the specifics of the situation for me."

Li Qian glanced at Manager He and immediately spoke.

"Master Li, I haven't yet hosted a welcoming feast for you..."

Manager He hurriedly said.

"There's no need for that, solving the problem sooner will allow the mine to start operations earlier."

Li Qian waved his hand.

"Yes, yes, Master Li, please come inside. I will inform you about the details."

Manager He said.

He naturally wanted to resolve the threat of the Earth Dragon Exotic Insect as soon as possible.

However, he was unsure about this innate expert from Divine Sword Sect, and initially planned to host him well.

It turned out that this innate expert was even more anxious than him.

Naturally, he was very pleased.

Once inside the house, Manager He pulled out a newly made map and began explaining the sightings of the Earth Dragon Exotic Insect.

"Master Li, look... these red marks are where the Earth Dragon Exotic Insect devoured miners, these yellow marks are where traces were left, and these black marks are where suspected traces were found."

He explained in great detail.

Li Qian listened attentively and did not interrupt.

After Manager He finished speaking, Li Qian had a good understanding of the situation.

Moreover, he memorized the entire map by force.

To ensure that nothing was overlooked, he reviewed it several times in his mind.

"Junior Brother Ling, someone must have had direct contact with this Earth Dragon Exotic Insect; do you have any additional thoughts to add?"

Li Qian turned to Ling Xingfeng, who had been silent, and suddenly asked.

"Senior Brother Li, this Earth Dragon Exotic Insect is adept at burrowing, creating numerous tunnels in the mine like a spider's web, allowing it to move freely and remain highly vigilant... Since the appearance of the Earth Dragon Exotic Insect, I have only seen it once, and never again after that. It seems to have a special sensing ability to assess threats and knows I can pose a threat to it... If Senior Brother Li intends to kill it, we might only have one chance."

After pondering for a moment, Ling Xingfeng said.

"Senior Brother Li, I can smell a very distinct scent released by that Earth Dragon Exotic Insect."

An inner sect disciple of Divine Sword Sect couldn't help but interject.

"Oh, may I know how to address this junior brother?"

Li Qian looked at the inner sect disciple and asked with a smile.

"Senior Brother Li, I am Zhang Liao from Guiyi Peak, a registered disciple."

The inner sect disciple quickly replied.

"Junior Brother Zhang, how do you determine that the scent you smell is from the Earth Dragon Exotic Insect?"

Li Qian nodded and then asked.

"Wherever this Earth Dragon Exotic Insect has been, that strange scent appears. I asked Junior Brother Ling and others, but they all said they couldn't smell it... so I'm not sure if this scent really exists."

Zhang Liao hesitated before saying.

He has been very sensitive to various scents from a young age and can differentiate various scents within a mix.

"In that case, Junior Brother Zhang, you will come with me into the mine."

Li Qian thought for a moment and then said.

Then he spoke to Manager He: "Manager He, prepare a few miners to accompany me into the mine."

He needed the miners to lure the Earth Dragon Exotic Insect out.

Zhang Liao's role was to identify the areas where the Earth Dragon Exotic Insect might appear based on the scent.

"Master Li, the arrangements will be made immediately."

Manager He hurriedly responded.

"Senior Brother Li, what about us?"

Ling Xingfeng asked.

"You guys wait outside the mine."

Li Qian said.

"Eh, alright."

Ling Xingfeng nodded.

....

It was already early afternoon.

The weather was not good.

It was somewhat muggy.

At the entrance of a mine, Li Qian, along with Zhang Liao and three miners, walked inside.

These three miners behaved quite well and did not show signs of excessive fear.

Those who dare to enter the mine are already mentally prepared.

Or perhaps Manager He has already paid them well with silver.

The mine space was not small, supported by thick wood to prevent collapse.

Specific drainage measures were also in place.

Li Qian's brows furrowed slightly.

If the mine were to collapse, that would spell trouble.

Though he is an Innate Martial Artist, even he could not withstand a mine collapse.

A seemingly simple mission, yet it carried its share of risks.

Risks like a mine collapse might not always occur, but when they do, one can only hope for the best.

Fortunately, he had memorized the entire map of the mine.

The map was very comprehensive, clearly showing the latest mine shaft routes.

In this way, it was impossible for him to get lost.

Even in the event of a collapse, he could run to the nearest exit immediately.

"Has this mine ever collapsed before?"

Li Qian suddenly asked.

"Sir... it has collapsed..."

One of the miners hurriedly replied.

As expected, it had collapsed....

This made him more cautious in his heart.

"Junior Brother Zhang, can you smell that scent?"

Li Qian forced himself to shake off the worries in his heart and looked at Zhang Liao.

"I can't smell it."

Zhang Liao shook his head.

"If you smell anything, tell me immediately."

Li Qian said.

"Yes, Senior Brother Li."

Zhang Liao nodded.

The five of them advanced silently in the mine, only their breathing and footsteps could be heard.

Li Qian had already concealed his own aura.

Since the Earth Dragon Exotic Insect might have special sensing abilities, the best strategy was to prevent it from detecting him or make it think he was just an ordinary miner.

They walked in the mine for a good half-hour.

Suddenly, Zhang Liao stopped, closed his eyes, and sniffed noisily...

"Senior Brother Li, I...I think I smell that scent."

"Scent?"

Li Qian also tried hard to sniff, but besides the complex scent typical of the mine, there was no other unusual odor.

"Yes, the scent I mentioned before."

Zhang Liao hurriedly said.

"Then try tracking this scent."

Li Qian said.

He did not activate his Spiritual Perception.

After comprehending Sword Intent, a unique spiritual perception forms, enabling the detection of traces and scents invisible to the naked eye of ordinary people.

He worried his spiritual perception might alert the Earth Dragon Exotic Insect.

"Okay."

Zhang Liao nodded and started walking while sniffing the scent.

At first, he walked slowly, but as his sense of the scent became clearer, he also moved faster.

Li Qian asked the three miners to stick close to him.

Although he wanted to use the three miners to lure out the Earth Dragon Exotic Insect, he would also protect their safety as much as possible.

So, they walked for another half-hour.

Zhang Liao stopped again, looked around nearby, and then said to Li Qian with certainty: "Senior Brother Li, the scent is strongest in this area... If it really is the Earth Dragon Exotic Insect, it must have been here recently."

Li Qian nodded and first directed Zhang Liao to find the nearest mine exit according to the map and leave.

Otherwise, keeping Zhang Liao there might scare off the Earth Dragon Exotic Insect.

Thus, only Li Qian and the three miners remained at the scene.

The place fell into silence.

Only heavy breathing was heard.

It came from the three miners, indicating their inner tension.

Li Qian stood still, holding his sword with both hands, his eyes closed.

He calmed his mind and spirit. Although he did not extend his Spiritual Perception, he could still listen to all movements around him with his hearing.

It was unknown how much time passed.

Suddenly, Li Qian faintly sensed some underground movement.

It was like a snake rapidly slithering towards them.

....